Pat Haden introduces Steve Sarkisian following `hardest few days of my life’

USC's new football coach Steve Sarkisian walks into a packed John McKay Center for his press conference, Tuesday, December 3, 2013, at USC. (Photo by Michael Owen Baker/L.A. Daily News)

USC athletic director Pat Haden introduced new football coach Steve Sarkisian in front of a packed auditorium on Tuesday without any concerns over a fan backlash.

“I could have named Mother Theresa and there’s people who wouldn’t be happy,” Haden said. “I could be absolutely wrong. We’ll find out.”

But that did not mean Haden never felt stressed over the situation as he tried to interview candidates, select a coach and placate interim coach Ed Orgeron.

“This has been the hardest few days of my life,” Haden said.

There is a lot riding on Haden’s hire but the biggest thing he did was make sure he did not hire another Lane Kiffin, even though Sarkisian and Kiffin are close friends.

“He’s a completely different person than Lane Kiffin,” Haden said.

That was apparent Tuesday and Sarkisian casually glided around the McKay Center, exchanging pleasantries with familiar faces and even speaking to a high school coach. Kiffin entered his press conference like a rock star and then quickly departed for the safety of his office.

Sarkisian’s won-loss record (34-29) might not thrill fans, but he will give everyone a chance to say hello and feel included, something he witnessed for seven years working with Pete Carroll. And when he walked into a skeptical team meeting Monday night, he saw the bond that approach created for Orgeron.

“We definitely wanted to hear from him and hear what he is about,” USC cornerback Josh Shaw said.

Players already suggested there is a rift between upperclassmen who feel loyal to Orgeron and younger players who want to see what Sarkisian will do for the program. Offensive tackle Zach Banner, in the pro-Sarkisian camp, said he cannot force players to change their mind.

“I can’t show leadership toward people who don’t want to be led,” Banner said.

Orgeron’s departure made Haden’s past two days difficult. He wanted Orgeron to stay and coach the bowl game and perhaps stay as an assistant. But the idea of working under Sarkisian, a fellow USC assistant under Carroll, was too much to take.

“I hope he makes me look like an idiot and gets that (head coaching) job somewhere, and in five years calls me and says ‘See, told you,’ ” Haden said.

Haden said even if Orgeron defeated UCLA last weekend it did not mean he would be hired. Haden wanted to meet all his candidates first. He took his best friend, USC administrator J.K. McKay, and two other employees to interview Sarkisian and Boise State coach Chris Petersen on Sunday.

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Haden spent three hours interviewing Sarkisian, flew back to Los Angeles and offered him the job late Sunday. Petersen withdrew prior to that, so it is uncertain just how many options remained. Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin wanted the job but did not want to go through an interview process.

Denver Broncos coach Jack Del Rio’s interview turned out to be more of a courtesy than anything else.

Haden said he consulted Carroll during the search and Carroll clearly gave his former assistant a big endorsement. Haden said he also liked Sarkisian’s decision to leave USC and escape Carroll’s shadow for Washington.

“He left to become his own man,” Haden said.

Sarksian said he will run a no-huddle, shotgun offense that undoubtedly will make life harder for USC’s opponents next season. A UCLA assistant coach said last week playing the Trojans was almost like getting a breather because USC actually huddled before each play.

Sarkisian wanted to make sure fans realized Washington featured tailback Bishop Sankey, who gained a school-record 1,775 yards in the regular season.

“Just because you link up in the shotgun doesn’t mean you can’t run the ball really well,” Sarkisian said.

Haden discussed the turmoil of this season, in which the Trojans featured Kiffin, Orgeron and offensive coordinator Clay Helton as head coaches at different points along with the arrival of Sarkisian. That’s four coaches in one season.

Does that make Haden regret not firing Kiffin a year ago when fans wanted a change and the mess of this year would never happen?

“I’d have to really think about that,” Haden said.

He tried to downplay the significance of hiring Sarkisian for his reputation.

“I don’t have a legacy or want a legacy,” Haden said.

Also ...

Center Marcus Martin suffered an injury to his kneecap and will be sidelined two to three months. He will not require surgery. Offensive tackle Zach Banner, who underwent hip injury, said he hopes to be back for spring practice. ... Sarkisian is expected to hire Washington defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox, if he is not named the Huskies head coach. He is also expected to hire defensive line coach Tosh Lupoi. Wilcox’s buyout is $1 million and Lupoi’s is $410,000, according to the Seattle Times. “That’s up to (Sarkisian),” Haden said when asked if USC was prepared to pay the buyouts.